You’re thinking about buying a swim spa and placing an endless swim in your backyard (plus endless fun and relaxation too). But this is a unique purchase. Where do you even begin?
At Hot Spring, we understand that a swim spa is a significant investment. But we also know that when you choose the right model, this investment soon pays for itself back. It’s why we created our Swim Spa Buyer's Guide, which walks you through each step of shopping for a swim spa, to help you buy with confidence.
What swim spa should I buy?
Ask yourself: why do I want a swim spa? Your main motivation – fitness, recovery, hydrotherapy, fun, family time – will help you hone in on the right model, features and accessories.
Choosing the right type of swim spa
Swim spas come in a range of types and sizes, so it’s important to get a sense of which is right for your situation. Having thought about the ‘why’ behind your purchase, consider the following options:
- Seated vs unseated: While most swim spas come with spa pool-style hydromassage seating, others, like the Endless Pools E550, keep the massage jets but remove the seats to give you more room to swim.
- Single section vs dual section: Larger swim spas, like the Endless Pools X2000 and E2000 models, feature separate swimming and spa pool sections.
- Cost-effective vs premium: The more you’re willing to pay, the higher quality the swimming and soaking experience will be. The Endless Pools range features three distinct swim spa collections: the budget-friendly R-Series, the value-packed X-Series and the unparalleled E-Series.
Choosing the ideal swim spa size
In terms of size, swim spas can either be thought of as particularly compact swimming pools or generously proportioned spa pools. You can identify the right size (and seat count) for your situation by asking yourself the following questions:
- Where will I place my swim spa? Work out your ideal spot, and measure how much room you have to spare there.
- Who will be using my swim spa? And how many people will want to use it at any one time? These questions can clarify your ideal size, seat capacity, features and accessories.
- What is my budget? Larger swim spas typically demand a larger upfront investment, so how much are you willing or able to spend? Remember: a quality machine will pay itself back over time.
From the compact R200 to the sprawling E2000, you’re sure to find your perfect fit in the Endless Pools range.
Where to install it (indoor vs outdoor)
You have a couple of options in terms of swim spa installation. While these weatherproof machines are typically installed outdoors, they can also be placed indoors, provided the space is well ventilated.
While the most common type of backyard installation is above-ground, you can also place the swim spa fully or semi-in-ground. Doing so can make the machine a more organic addition to your property, while also enhancing accessibility.
Understanding swim spa costs before you buy
A swim spa shouldn’t be viewed as a cost, but a long-term investment that pays itself back handsomely over time… as long as you choose the right machine.
How much should I spend?
When forming your budget, remember that the sticker price of a swim spa only ever tells part of the story. You also need to consider delivery, installation and setup costs, and most importantly, the ongoing running costs and the longevity of the machine.
These factors can ultimately make a ‘cheap’ spa far more expensive than a premium model over time, as electricity bills, water care products and a shorter lifespan far exceed any initial savings.
How much does it cost to run?
‘Cheap’ swim spas tend to lack insulation, quality parts and energy efficient tech. The result: sky-high running costs that can quickly negate the upfront savings.
Premium Endless Pools swim spas, meanwhile, are built from the ground up to keep running costs low. In fact, we’re the most energy efficient spa brand in Australia – our machines can cost less than $1 a day to run.
Factoring in maintenance & upkeep
Two more key ongoing costs are the amount of water and chemicals your swim spa uses, which the best water care systems can significantly reduce. The optional UVC and CD Ozone systems found in Endless Pools swim spas, for example, use clever tech to break down contaminants without chemicals. The result: fresher, longer-lasting water, and a lower water care bill.
Endless Pools swim spas also feature a non-porous acrylic finish that ensures a stain-free shell after 10,000+ laps. These systems demand less work, so you can enjoy more play.
Lifespan of different swim spa models
While cheap swim spas are built to last years, quality swim spas are built to last decades. This means that you might have to replace a cheap model 2-3 times over the lifespan of a single, high quality machine.
The longer the warranty, the more confidence you’ll have that your swim spa will last the distance. At Hot Spring, we’ve been proving the longevity of our spas since 1980, and offer warranties that reflect the confidence we have in our products.
Installing your swim spa
It’s important to consider where and how you might install your swim spa before you start shopping.
Location preparation
The surface you place your swim spa on needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the machine when it’s full of water and people.
At Hot Spring we offer a free on-site consultation to help you identify the ideal spot. We’ve tackled every type of installation challenge, so can offer expert guidance on your specific situation.
Delivery challenges
Swim spas are large machines, so it’s important to consider the accessibility of your backyard. If you don’t have the room to get the swim spa through or around your house, you may need to crane it in.
Once again, our expert team is here to work out the best way to deliver and install your new swim spa, and can take care of the entire process.
Key features in a swim spa to look out for
What separates the best swim spas from the rest? When shopping for your perfect model, keep an eye out for the following features:
Swim technology
The defining feature of a swim spa is the quality of its swim-in-place experience. Generally speaking, the higher the volume of water that a current generation system can move, the higher the quality of the swim.
Endless Pools® RecSport® and SwimCross® models use advanced jetted systems to deliver a strong, adjustable current. The X Series features a bottom-mounted river jet that provides additional lift and stability for swimmers.
At the very top end, the E Series with Hydrodrive™ technology produces a powerful current of up to 19,000L/min, which is ideal for everything from a child’s first swim to an athlete’s most demanding training session.
Current quality
It’s not all about volume: the quality of the current is also critical. The best swim spas use features like conditioning grills to create a perfectly laminar (turbulence-free) current that is wider than your body and deeper than your stroke, fully enveloping you as you swim. If you close your eyes, it feels like you’re swimming in open water.
The ability to control the speed of the current is also critical. With 52 different speed settings, ranging from a 5:00/100m swim to an almost Olympic 1:08/100m, the hydraulic power unit of our E-Series machines offers you ultimate control.
Hydrotherapy
By dialling down the current speed, you can turn your swimming machine into a hydrotherapy pool. The combination of a gentle current and precisely warmed water can make a swim spa an ideal place to rehabilitate from injury and regain/retain mobility.
That’s particularly the case for Endless Pools swim spas, which offer a range of accessories, from underwater treadmills to rowing machines, that allow you to work different parts of your body.
Energy efficiency
Quality insulation ensures your swim spa can efficiently reach your desired temperature and keep it there. Better insulation = more consistent water temperature and lower power bills.
Our Tri-Thermic™ barrier system keeps more heat in and ensures even warmth with no cold patches, so your swim spa is always warm and ready. Built to minimise wasted energy, Endless Pools swim spas are engineered for efficiency without compromising performance.
Comparing different swim spa technologies
When you shop for your swim spa you’ll be presented with a number of features and technologies. Some common decisions you’ll need to make include:
Swim machine vs jet-driven system
The best swim machines, like the Endless Pools E-Series, use dedicated propulsion systems to generate broad, deep, laminar currents. Jet-driven systems, meanwhile, use one or more high-speed jets to push water in a narrower, shallower, more turbulent stream.
Turbulence-free flow vs Venturi-boosted water jets
Turbulence-free flow refers to a current that is smooth and even. Venturi-boosted water jets rely on smaller jets that draw in extra water from around the nozzle, boosting the volume of the current. The Venturi option is a cheaper technology, and the drawback is increased turbulence.
Open-water swimming vs strong current swimming
The turbulence-free propulsion systems found in the highest quality swim machines are built to replicate the feeling of swimming in open water, as they create a large and laminar column of water. In cheaper machines, it’s obvious that you’re swimming against a narrow, jet-powered current.
Plug-and-play vs hardwired swim spas
Plug-and-play swim spas can be plugged into a standard power outlet. The problem? Creating a powerful current demands more power than a normal plug point can offer. The best swim spas need to be hardwired in by an electrician, which represents an investment, but one that is more than worth it in terms of the quality of the swim-in-place experience.
After-sales support
Making the purchase is only the start of your swim spa journey. The level of after-sales support you receive will be critical to ensuring you gain maximum value from your investment.
Expertise & quality
Look for swim spa brands and dealers who have a local presence: who know your area, and who will be there for support when you need them. Check reviews to understand the level of service and support you can expect.
Customer service & dealer support
Choose a swim spa brand with a history of producing reliable, long-lasting machines. As Australia’s oldest and most trusted spa brand, at Hot Spring, we’ve been proving our quality since 1980.
With a nationwide network of dozens of dealers, there’ll be a store near you. And our 20-year spare parts guarantee means we can service your swim spa long into the future.
Comparing warranties & long-term value
The longer your swim spa lasts, the more value you’ll get out of your investment. Spa warranties offer a sense of how confident a manufacturer is in the quality of their product, so keep the following in mind:
- Be wary of brands that offer warranties longer than the history of their company, as there’s no way to verify if their machines will last that long.
- Different warranties will apply to different parts of the swim spa. A “10-year warranty” may only apply to the frame – the strongest and most protected part.
- If the warranty only covers issues “due to faulty workmanship or materials”, it will exclude a range of common situations.
- Avoid warranties that mention using third-party contractors for repairs. At Hot Spring, we use highly trained spa technicians for all warranty claims.
Why the right brand matters
A great way to focus your swim spa search is to find your preferred brand, then select a model.
When researching brands, focus on quality and longevity – the most successful brands sell reliable products, offer deep support and constantly innovate. They are transparent and accountable, and prove their quality over time.
Having sold over 1.8 million spas since 1980, at Hot Spring, our Endless Pools swim spas tick every box. Shop our range today.
